The $180,000 salary of Jeffrey Hernandez — controversial chief academic officer for Palm Beach County schools — is the focus of complaints by four Palm Beach County parents against Superintendent Art Johnson.

In a letter Friday to state Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith, the parents allege Johnson committed state ethics and professional conduct violations over "his seemingly intentional misrepresentation to the School Board and the public regarding the funding source of the Chief Academic Officer position."

The main thrust of the parents' charge is that Johnson stated at a Nov. 21 meeting that district operational budget funds are being used to pay Hernandez — based on a School Board vote — but the board record indicates otherwise.

In an interview Monday, Johnson said he expects the state will find that he did nothing improper.

"I'm sure the state will tell them the same thing we told them, that it's paid for out of operations," Johnson said.

The complaint cites an April 8 School Board vote to approve Johnson's recommendation to hire Hernandez, and use federal funds to cover 75 percent of his annual salary. The parents contend this is a practice called supplanting that is not allowed by the federal government.

"The public has repeatedly requested proof of the so-called 'amendment' that would have changed the funding source of the [Chief Academic Officer] position from federal stimulus funds to operating funds," the complaint states. "Despite these requests, this information has never been provided."

The parents who filed the complaint are Debbie Block, of Boca Raton; Christina Howley, of Royal Palm Beach; Clare Kirchman, of Jupiter; and Susan Petosa, of Boca Raton.

They are all active on the Facebook page called Testing is Not Teaching!, which emerged in the fall as a force behind successful protests against academic initiatives led by Hernandez and Johnson.

In late December, Johnson stripped Hernandez of all supervisory powers and placed him in a new role of helping the district's most struggling schools. Hernandez kept his title and pay because of contractual obligations, Johnson said last week.